9 A.M. Vilma Hearing

this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; Originally Posted by Beastmode
My money is on Vilma not taking any deal. If it was about money he would have never attempted this in the first place. His odds of winning were slim to none. Add to that the ...

My money is on Vilma not taking any deal. If it was about money he would have never attempted this in the first place. His odds of winning were slim to none. Add to that the cost of hiring a prize fighter lawyer. It never was about the money.

I don't know; if the NFL came with a 6-8 game suspension settlement, he'd have to consider it...

The writing is on the wall for the NFL to make this go away before Aug 30th or she WILL rule in Vilmas favor.

What Judge Berrigan will do is rule in favor of Vilma and maybe give him an injunction to allow him to play until the law case has played out in court.

Judge Berrigan will also decide whether the court accepts the case. If the court does not accept the case, there will be NO injunction for Vilma.

If the court accepts the case, she will likely (but not certainly) approve the restraining order which would allow Vilma to play and practice.
Acceptance of the case by the court may be devastating for the NFL, a PR nightmare at the least!

Immediately after the court accepts the case, the discovery process begins. This is when the NFL MUST show its evidence, and especially any evidence requested by the plaintiff (Vilma's team).

If evidence is non-existent, then the NFL's defense is woefully diminished, and could mean a quick, lopsided victory for Vilma.

BUT...

The NFL is clever... not SMART... they are clever.
The NFL (IMO) does NOT want this case to be accepted by the court. The NFL probably thinks this is a challenge and a gamble.
If the NFL continuously plays their bluff and the court DOES accepts the case, and the discovery process begins, the NFL WILL trump up any evidence possible, some of it will be close to a LIE, but they will throw everything they have or can make up at Vilma.

This is why I say the NFL is NOT SMART! They are dangerous enough to themselves to keep this going until August 30th for the end of the hearing. If they were SMART, they would try to openly make a settlement with Vilma and try to "make it right."

I think the public sees Saints, bounty, Vilma. The man wants his name cleared. If he didn't do it there is no reason to take any deal. Fight to clear your name. If you lose you lose but the main thing I believe for Vilma is showing to the public he never put out a bounty and calling the NFL out on it. If he accepts a deal then so be it, just don't cry when your name is forever tagged to this thing without true resolve. I'd rather carry around I fought until the end than play a half a dozen more games.

What Judge Berrigan will do is rule in favor of Vilma and maybe give him an injunction to allow him to play until the law case has played out in court.

Judge Berrigan will also decide whether the court accepts the case. If the court does not accept the case, there will be NO injunction for Vilma.

If the court accepts the case, she will likely (but not certainly) approve the restraining order which would allow Vilma to play and practice.
Acceptance of the case by the court may be devastating for the NFL, a PR nightmare at the least!

Immediately after the court accepts the case, the discovery process begins. This is when the NFL MUST show its evidence, and especially any evidence requested by the plaintiff (Vilma's team).

If evidence is non-existent, then the NFL's defense is woefully diminished, and could mean a quick, lopsided victory for Vilma.

BUT...

The NFL is clever... not SMART... they are clever.
The NFL (IMO) does NOT want this case to be accepted by the court. The NFL probably thinks this is a challenge and a gamble.
If the NFL continuously plays their bluff and the court DOES accepts the case, and the discovery process begins, the NFL WILL trump up any evidence possible, some of it will be close to a LIE, but they will throw everything they have or can make up at Vilma.

This is why I say the NFL is NOT SMART! They are dangerous enough to themselves to keep this going until August 30th for the end of the hearing. If they were SMART, they would try to openly make a settlement with Vilma and try to "make it right."

Based on her comments and tone the court WILL accept the case... She is just waiting until after Aug 30....

Read back I think I remember he saying that there was proof that Vilma's career was irreparably damaged.

What bothers me deeply is that she sees pay for performance and BOUNTY as the same thing.

Based on her comments and tone the court WILL accept the case... She is just waiting until after Aug 30....

Read back I think I remember he saying that there was proof that Vilma's career was irreparably damaged.

What bothers me deeply is that she sees pay for performance and BOUNTY as the same thing.

In her eyes Vilma is guilty but the way he was punished is wrong.

That bothers me as well. She has a problem with a fundamental thing in football; you can hit someone or, you can use overwhelming force to hit someone with the intent to knock the wind out of them or rattle them, or whatever you want to call it. There is no measuring stick on the amount of force only where you can apply it. I remember she said that knocking the wind out of someone (cart off) what's the difference or something to that effect...not sure what's she's getting at?

you can hit someone or, you can use overwhelming force to hit someone with the intent to knock the wind out of them or rattle them, or whatever you want to call it. There is no measuring stick on the amount of force only where you can apply it. I remember she said that knocking the wind out of someone (cart off) what's the difference or something to that effect...not sure what's she's getting at?

The thing is, Roger knows the difference. I'd bet my left nut on it. Roger knows, and yet he is willing to end this man's career only to save face. I hate that man with everything that I am.